What are the most common Chevrolet Traverse problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse has 13 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Start/Stop Accumulator Missing Bolts Causing Transmission Fluid Leak / Loss of Propulsion (Recall N202313440), Intermittent No-Crank / No-Start from Connector X203 and Wake-Up Faults, 9-Speed Automatic Transmission Shudder (9T65). Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse has 13 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Start/Stop Accumulator Missing Bolts Causing Transmission Fluid Leak / Loss of Propulsion (Recall N202313440) and Intermittent No-Crank / No-Start from Connector X203 and Wake-Up Faults. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Chevrolet Traverse problems?
Repair costs for known Chevrolet Traverse issues range from $0 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2018-2020 Chevrolet Traverse Start/Stop Accumulator Missing Bolts Causing Transmission Fluid Leak / Loss of Propulsion (Recall N202313440)?
Certain 2018-2020 Traverse units (with the global front-wheel-drive 6- or 9-speed transmission) left the factory with missing or loose bolts on the start/stop transmission accumulator endcap. This can cause a transmission fluid leak that may progress to a loss of propulsion while… Severity: high.
What is the 2018-2020 Chevrolet Traverse Intermittent No-Crank / No-Start from Connector X203 and Wake-Up Faults?
Many second-gen Traverse owners experience random no-crank / no-start events, sometimes after the engine shuts off while driving. GM service bulletins identify two patterns: bent or backed-out terminals at body connector X203 causing loss of communication on the HSLAN data bus wi… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: high.
What is the 2018-2025 Chevrolet Traverse 9-Speed Automatic Transmission Shudder (9T65)?
The second-generation Traverse (2018+) uses the GM 9T65 9-speed automatic transmission that suffers from a shudder during light acceleration in the 25-50 mph range. The torque converter clutch chatters during lockup, producing a vibration that feels like driving on a rumble strip… Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2023 Chevrolet Traverse HVAC Blend Door Actuator Failure — Warm Air on One Side / Inconsistent Dual-Zone Temps?
The dual-zone climate system on the Traverse commonly suffers blend door actuator failures, where one side (often the passenger side or rear) blows warm air while the other blows cold regardless of temperature setting. The plastic gears inside the actuator strip or stick, often p… Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2020 Chevrolet Traverse Intermittent "Shift to Park" Message — Faulty Shifter Park Switch?
Owners frequently report a "Shift to Park" warning that appears even when the transmission is already in Park, often preventing the ignition from shutting off and risking battery drain (the radio stays on and the doors won't lock). The root cause is a weak/failing park switch in… Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2020 Chevrolet Traverse Infotainment Touchscreen Blackout / Freezing?
The MyLink/infotainment touchscreen on 2018-2020 Traverse units can go black or freeze (in some cases the radio, volume and USB still function while the screen stays dark) and does not always recover with a normal restart. Owners have traced some failures to blown resistors on th… Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2020 Chevrolet Traverse Excessive Oil Consumption on 3.6L LFY (Worn Rings / PCV)?
Second-generation Traverse owners report the 3.6L LFY V6 consuming oil at roughly 1 quart every 1,000-2,000 miles, with some AWD examples burning a half-quart per 1,000 miles starting around 55k miles. Root causes are worn/coked piston rings and a PCV system that pulls oil vapor… Repairs typically run $120-$6,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Traverse A/C Condenser / Refrigerant Line Leak Causing Loss of Cooling?
Traverse owners widely report the air conditioning blowing warm air after only a year or two of use, caused by refrigerant escaping the system. GM bulletin PIT5710 instructs dealers to leak-check the condenser and, if no external leak is found, inspect the rear auxiliary A/C evap… Repairs typically run $500-$1,400. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2021 Chevrolet Traverse Service StabiliTrak / Traction Control Warnings with Reduced Power?
Traverse owners frequently see 'Service StabiliTrak' and 'Traction Control Off' messages appear together while driving, sometimes accompanied by an engine power reduction. The warning is a downstream symptom rather than a single fault: common triggers are a failing wheel speed se… Repairs typically run $150-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2020 Chevrolet Traverse 9-Speed Automatic (9T65) Torque Converter Shudder on Low-Speed Shifts?
Second-generation Traverse models paired the 3.6L LFY V6 with GM's 9T65 9-speed automatic, which exhibits a noticeable shudder/shake felt during 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 upshifts at speeds below ~40 mph under light-to-moderate throttle. GM traced it to torque converter clutch (TCC) re-ap… Repairs typically run $250-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2009-2023 Chevrolet Traverse Engine Oil Consumption (3.6L V6)?
The 3.6L V6 in the Traverse consumes oil at a rate that many owners find unacceptable, particularly on 2009-2017 models with the LLT and LFX engine variants. Owners report consuming 1 quart every 2,000-3,000 miles. The oil consumption is related to piston ring design and the PCV… Repairs typically run $0-$4,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Traverse Sunroof/Moonroof Drain Clog Causing Interior Water Leak from Headliner?
The moonroof feeds rainwater into a rain tray above the headliner that drains through tubes routed down the pillars. Debris clogs the tubes (and tray outlets), so the tray overflows and water runs down the inside of the headliner, dripping from the overhead console, dome/map ligh… Repairs typically run $150-$1,700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2009-2025 Chevrolet Traverse Power Liftgate Strut Failure?
The Traverse power liftgate struts lose gas pressure over time, causing the liftgate to drop slowly when opened or slam shut unexpectedly. On models with power liftgate, the electric motor can also fail, leaving the liftgate inoperative via the button. The struts typically fail b… Repairs typically run $50-$600. Severity: low.
